The New Scottish Government Who They Are, What Their Promises Were, and What ICE Scotland Thinks Their Priorities Should Be

The New Scottish Government Who they are, what their promises were, and what ICE Scotland thinks their priorities should be.

E: [email protected] W: ice.org.uk/scotland

Institution of Civil Engineers is a Registered Charity in England & Wales (no 210252) and Scotland (SC038629)

ice.org.uk

Shaping the future

We now know the make-up of the new Scottish Government and the Cabinet Secretaries and Ministers who will be making the policy decisions that will affect our sector and lives. The purpose of this document is to ensure our members know who they are, what they promised and what ICE Scotland considers their priorities should be as we work with them on your behalf.

Who are the people of most significance to our members? First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Covid Recovery, John Swinney Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Economy, Kate Forbes Minister for Just Transition, Employment and Fair Work (who will also work alongside the Net Zero Secretary), Richard Lochhead Minister for Business, Trade, Tourism and Enterprise, Ivan McKee Minister for Public Finance, Planning and Community Wealth, Tom Arthur Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, Shirley-Anne Somerville Minister for Children and Young People, Clare Haughey Minister for Higher Education and Further Education, Youth Employment and Training, Jamie Hepburn Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport, Michael Matheson Minister for Environment, Biodiversity and Land Reform (who will also work alongside the Rural Affairs Secretary), Mairi McAllan Minister for Transport, Graeme Dey Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Housing and Local Government, Shona Robison Minister for Equalities and Older People, Christina McKelvie Minister for Social Security and Local Government, Ben MacPherson Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands, Mairi Gougeon

2 Institution of Civil Engineers is a Registered Charity in England & Wales (no 210252) and Scotland (SC038629)

A wide-range of portfolios will impact our sector, but a key brief of relevance will be Net Zero, Energy and Transport. Michael Matheson’s specific responsibilities will be: •Cross government co-ordination of Net Zero policy •Climate crisis and environmental protection •COP26 delivery •Biodiversity •Sustainable development •Circular Economy, including implementation of the Deposit Return Scheme •Cross government co-ordination of Infrastructure (policy, investment, and Commission) •Cross government delivery of 20 minute neighbourhoods •Renewable energy industries •Energy and energy consents •Energy efficiency •National public energy agency •Heating and Domestic Energy transformation •Heat networks •Fuel Poverty •Physical and marine environment •Flood prevention and coastal erosion •Scottish Environmental Protection Agency •NatureScot •Zero Waste Scotland •Water quality and Scottish Water •Strategic Transport Projects Review

3 Institution of Civil Engineers is a Registered Charity in England & Wales (no 210252) and Scotland (SC038629)

What are some of their promises in relation to infrastructure?

GENERAL HOUSING TRANSPORT SKILLS ENERGY/NET ZERO £33bn for National Set a target to have Spend 10% of the Infrastructure Mission, 100,000 affordable renewable and low- transport capital Deliver 30,000 Modern supporting 45,000 jobs homes by 2032, with carbon hydrogen budget on walking, Apprenticeships and providing benefits investment of £3.5bn. production capacity of cycling and wheeling across supply chains at least 5GW by 2030 Support the Set a national Levenmouth objective to increase demonstration project National Infrastructure the amount of housing Invest over £500m to £300m to support new to deliver a 100% Company to manage within town centres improve bus jobs and reskill people hydrogen heat and develop public and high streets, both infrastructure and for the jobs of the network, supplying 300 assets for public good through use of existing tackle congestion future domestic properties stock and new with clean, green developments hydrogen heating Introduce a new Housing Standard, set in law by 2025. This 50% of Scotland’s will cover all homes Bring ScotRail into overall energy and include aspects £1bn Scottish National public ownership from £100m in Green Jobs consumption from such as repairing and Investment Bank as next year, and Fund to support new renewable sources by safety standards, part of £2bn ten-year decarbonise opportunities for green 2030 and almost minimum space capitalisation plan. Scotland's rail services job creation complete standards, digital by 2035 decarbonisation of connectivity, future energy system by 2050 proofing of homes, and energy efficiency and heating standards Ensure any Fund a 'Young government support Invest £1.6bn over the Person's Guarantee' of for the oil and gas Dual the A9 and A96, next parliament to a university, college, sector will be upgrade A82, deliver decarbonise the way apprenticeship or conditional on the preferred new route for homes and other training place or job industry contributing Rest and Be Thankful. buildings are heated for every young to a sustainable, person who wants one secure and inclusive energy transition

4 Institution of Civil Engineers is a Registered Charity in England & Wales (no 210252) and Scotland (SC038629)

What does ICE Scotland think the Scottish Government priorities should be?

We know good infrastructure can improve our places, productivity, health and wellbeing – poor or inefficient infrastructure can lead to economic and societal disruption, as well as, in extreme cases, risks to health and safety. That is why infrastructure must be at heart of the Scottish government’s strategic decision- making, with a particular emphasis on four areas of action:

• Resiliency: auditing Scotland’s infrastructure to ensure it is fit for purpose, now and in the future. • Procurement: changing procurement policy so smaller contractors are not disadvantaged and the supply chain is supported, particularly at a local level. • Strategy: developing policies on infrastructure planning, investment and prioritisation must be for the long-term, not short-term political cycles. • Professionalism: utilising the expertise of ICE Scotland members in planning, designing, building, maintaining and managing our infrastructure needs to be recognised in policy development, delivery and procurement.

ICE Scotland will be advancing these themes and engaging with the new Scottish Government through a portfolio of work guided by our Public Voice Committee.

For more information please contact: [email protected]

5 Institution of Civil Engineers is a Registered Charity in England & Wales (no 210252) and Scotland (SC038629)